Five nations have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals as of July 6, 2026, following the conclusion of the first few matches in the round of 16. France, Morocco, Norway, England, and Spain have secured spots in the final eight, with the tournament now narrowing its field toward the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Confirmed Quarterfinal Matchups and Schedule
The bracket is beginning to solidify after 25 days of competition. France and Morocco were the first to advance, and they will face each other in a rematch of the 2022 semifinals. According to FOX Sports, this match is set for Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m. ET at Boston Stadium.
France advanced by defeating Paraguay 1-0, with Kylian Mbappé scoring on a penalty kick. Morocco secured its spot by beating Canada 3-0, making it the first African team to reach back-to-back World Cup quarterfinals.
The remaining schedule for the quarterfinals is as follows:
Thursday, July 9: France vs. Morocco (4 p.m. ET, Boston Stadium)
Friday, July 10: Spain vs. Winner of USA/Belgium (3 p.m. ET, Los Angeles Stadium)
Saturday, July 11: Norway vs. England (5 p.m. ET, Miami Stadium)
Saturday, July 11: Winner of Argentina/Egypt vs. Winner of Switzerland/Colombia (9 p.m. ET, Kansas City Stadium)
While USA Today lists the venues as Gillette Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and Arrowhead Stadium, other reports such as Al Jazeera refer to them by their city names, such as Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City.
Spain’s Return and the End of Ronaldo’s Run
Spain entered the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010 after a 1-0 victory over Portugal on Monday, July 6. NBC New York reported that Mikel Merino scored the deciding goal in stoppage time.
The loss marks the end of the World Cup journey for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who had recently stated this would be his final tournament. This result sets up a high-stakes scenario for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT); if the USA defeats Belgium, they will face Spain on Friday, July 10.
Norway’s Upset and England’s Narrow Escape
Photo: NBC New York
Norway has secured its first-ever quarterfinals appearance after a 2-1 upset of Brazil. Erling Haaland scored both goals for Norway, a performance that puts him in a tie for first place in the Golden Boot race.
England advanced to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive World Cup by eliminating co-hosts Mexico with a 3-2 win. The match was played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where England managed to hold on despite playing most of the second half with only 10 men.
The USMNT and the Balogun Controversy
Day 24 Updates I FIFA World Cup 2026 I France and Morocco through to the quarterfinals I Round of 16
The USMNT faces Belgium on Monday, July 6, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The match carries significant emotional weight due to the controversial ruling involving Folarin Balogun.
The legal and political stakes surrounding Balogun’s eligibility were highlighted by Michelle Lapointe, legal director of the American Immigration Council, who noted the role of birthright citizenship in the player’s ability to compete.
Thanks to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, Team USA has made it to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup,
Michelle Lapointe, American Immigration Council
Lapointe further argued that if the Supreme Court had ruled differently on birthright citizenship, a player in Balogun’s position would not be considered a U.S. citizen. This tension adds a psychological layer to a matchup where Belgium previously held a 5-2 friendly win over the USA in March.
Remaining Paths to the Final Eight
Four slots in the quarterfinals remain open as the round of 16 concludes. The remaining matchups will determine who fills the final vacancies:
USA vs. Belgium: Winner faces Spain.
Argentina vs. Egypt: Winner faces the victor of Switzerland vs. Colombia.
Switzerland vs. Colombia: Winner faces the victor of Argentina vs. Egypt.
The race for the Golden Boot remains a primary subplot of the tournament. While Haaland and Mbappé have already secured their places in the quarterfinals, former Team USA captain Brian Dunseth has identified Lionel Messi as another top contender for the scoring title.
For those following the action in the U.S., matches are broadcasting on Fox and FS1, with streaming available via Fox One and the Fox Sports app. Spanish-language coverage is provided by Telemundo and Universo, with streaming on Peacock.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
